5 Tips In Choosing A Hearing Aid Compatible Headphones

It is natural to get a bit worried and have a lot of questions when you are getting hearing aids for the first time. More so, if you are a music lover and like to listen to your favorite numbers on your headphones. Are you wondering if it is possible to use both hearing aid and headphones for hearing impaired at the same time? Let us tell you that the answer is a big yes.

Are Headphones Compatible with Hearing Aids?

Yes, headphones are compatible with hearing aids but you will have to find the right fit. If you are already wearing a hearing aid, then your options are less because you will have to find headphones which fit your hearing aid. On the other hand, if you are going to get a hearing aid for the first time you get more choices. It is possible to wear headphones with hearing aids, and the headphones will not make your hearing ability worse.

How to find the right Headphone to Use with Hearing aid

When you start wearing a hearing aid, understand that this is only a minor setback and you can do almost everything with some minor adjustments. Music brings happiness to people, and if you are one of those people, then nothing should stop you from doing it. Let us give you some pointers which will do the job of choosing the right headphones easy for you.

Type of Hearing Aid

This is the most important thing. The type of hearing aid you are wearing should be compatible with the headphones you have or want to purchase. Some of the most commonly used ones are:

Behind The Ear (BTE): most parts of this hearing aid are in a small plastic case which rests behind the ear. There is a tube which connects it with an earpiece. It is quite sturdy, and probably the most commonly used hearing aid.

In The Ear (ITE): all the parts of the hearing aid are in a shell which sits on the outer ear.

In The Canal (ITC): these hearing aid parts all fit into a small case or shell which fits perfectly inside the ear canal. These are very tiny, and you need to be careful while handling them. From the outside, nothing is visible, so for the cosmetic purpose, they are great.

Type of Headphone

After deciding which type of hearing aid you are going to use, the next thing is to find the right headphone. There are many types and styles available. Look carefully at all the models available.

On-Ear: these are portable and easy to use and most commonly used headphones. They can be good with ITC and even with ITE hearing aids. You will have to find the right fit.

Over-Ear: these are the biggest headphones and are compatible with most kinds of hearing aids. They are comfortable to wear and give an exceptional audio experience.

In-ear: these are the easiest to carry around and probably the cheapest as well. They fit snugly inside the ear. Unfortunately, these are not compatible with hearing aids.

Ear-buds: these are the perfect earphones. They just sit at the entrance and don’t go inside the ear. They are also highly portable and cheap. Some people prefer them because it allows the noise from outside to reach you. These are also not very compatible with hearing aids. Bone Conduction: these are relatively new in the market and not very commonly seen or used. It connects to your skull and sends the sound directly to the eardrums. These are easy to use with any hearing aid. The biggest drawback is that there is no noise cancelation, and it allows other sounds to reach your ears.

Audio Feedback: if your headphones are pushing your hearing aid or are too close to it then, you may hear a whistling noise, which is the audio feedback. Reposition your headphones or try some other variety to get better results. With the ITC hearing aids, compatibility is generally not an issue. However, it is always better to test different headphones before selecting one. Make sure that the headphone speakers are as far away from headphone microphone as possible.

Noise Cancelation: when choosing a headphone look for one which can cancel the outside noise or at least minimize it. The other sounds may cause disturbance and distraction. Also, people tend to increase the volume when there are different sounds, and this may cause further problems with the hearing.

Try Before You Buy: the most important thing when it comes to choosing a headphone which is compatible with your hearing aid is taking time in deciding. Try and test different styles. If possible, use them the way, you would typically, and not just in the shop. Take help from your doctor and never hesitate to ask for help. Be vocal about what feels right or wrong and choose what is comfortable.

We have given you some information, and we are sure that you will benefit from it. If listening to music is what makes you happy, then, your hearing aid cannot be an obstacle to it.